In this damning indictment of legalized gambling, Goodman documents how this business, which generates more than $40 billion dollars a year in revenues, is also the cause of myriad economic and social problems for the very communities that have looked to it as a panacea.

Shifting demographics. Downstate versus Chicago. Billionaires and bribery. Even veteran observers need a roadmap to track Illinois’ ever-changing political landscape. Melissa Mouritsen, Kent D. Redfield, and James D. Nowlan provide an up-to-date primer on Prairie State politics, government, and policies. Features include: Discussions of recent events like the 2015-2017 budget disaster, the response to COVID-19, and the fall of longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan; New chapters on corruption, social policies, and the political rules of the game; Perspectives on the nuts-and-bolts of campaign funding, the ways political actors acquire power or influence, and many other topics; Close examinations of complex issues like the state’s increased polarization and its ongoing fiscal recovery. Fully revised and expanded, Illinois Politics blends detailed information with expert analysis to offer an essential resource for citizens, students, and public servants alike.

With the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, regulated sports betting has exploded in the United States, with more than half the states adopting legalized sports betting and many more poised for business. As a result, career opportunities with sportsbook operators and venues; sport leagues, teams, and sponsors; and gaming regulatory agencies abound for today’s students. The arrival of The Business of Sports Betting introduces the first dedicated text—written by a team of academic faculty and internationally recognized experts in the field—covering every aspect of the sports betting industry. It begins with a historical overview of sports betting and key legislation that has led to legalized betting today. Included are the various types of wagers available to bettors, the sports in which betting can take place, and the industry’s major stakeholders. Next, readers will examine the multiple layers of sports betting regulations in the United States and the interplay between federal laws, state authorization, and tribal governance. Regulatory frameworks in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada are covered, as well as compliance focal points addressing anti–money laundering regulations, placement of wagers, and the Bank Secrecy Act. The book then warns of the negative aspects of the business, such as illegal sports betting, gambling scandals, and match fixing; the risks associated with illegal betting; and harm from problem gambling. To combat these risks, guidelines are presented for protecting against illegal gambling, minimizing potential harms, and ensuring integrity in sports betting. Next, students learn the how-tos of establishing, operating, and marketing a sportsbook. Traditional brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are discussed in detail, including the many facility management considerations that come with operating and maintaining a physical venue. Students also learn about the various mobile sportsbooks available today (including websites, kiosks, and phone apps), how they operate, and their connection to and interaction with physical sportsbooks. In addition, the authors present marketing and advertising strategies for acquiring customers and forging relationships with teams, leagues, and sportsbooks. Special attention is given to the American Gaming Association’s Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering and its compliance considerations for sportsbook operators. Sports wagering is a data-driven business, and students will see how data are generated and transmitted to sportsbook operators. Managing and protecting that data is paramount to competitive advantage, and students will learn about intellectual property protections granted to sportsbook operators. Additionally, the book discusses the proliferation and potential positive and negative impacts of gamification and virtual currencies in sports betting. Chapters are punctuated with supplemental sidebars and case studies providing real-life examples of the positive and negative impacts of sports betting. The Business of Sports Betting offers a comprehensive introduction to the nuances of the sports betting industry, including the key players, regulatory environment, marketing and technology drivers, and business operations of a sportsbook.

Forty-eight states now permit legalized gambling in some form, thirty-seven states run lotteries, forty-seven allow bingo houses, and more than a dozen states permit betting on dog races. American gamblers wager over $300 billion yearly in legal gambling. Although many Americans enjoy gambling and see it as harmless recreation and a fairly painless way to generate revenue without levying direct taxes, many social conservatives see gambling as a socially destructive temptation that ought notto be indulged by private citizens, much less sponsored by government. Recently, economic pressures resulting from less federal revenue and Americans' growing aversion to tax increases have led many state governments to liberalize gambling laws or sponsor gambling, sparking a lively debate. Legalized Gambling contains twenty articles focusing on different aspects of gambling policy by experts in the fields of public policy, law, psychiatry, rhetoric, religion, economics, and politics. The contributors address all areas of the debate, including the following: -- What moral issues are at the center of the debate? -- What are the true economic costs and benefits of legalized gambling? How are they often hidden or misconstrued in order to support either prohibition or legalization? -- How has the history of gambling in America shaped our current policies? -- Is governmental regulation an invasion of personal privacy? -- What are the legitimate uses of laws? -- Is "pathological gambling" a justifiable medical diagnosis? -- Do gambling establishments run by Native Americans deserve special consideration or regulation? "(In a lottery) ... the tax is laid on the willing only, that is to say, on those who can risk the price of a ticket without sensible injury for the possibility of a higher prize". -- Thomas Jefferson